AN AUTUMN WALK

I love autumn.  We have not been walking much over the summer months and, this morning, decided to go on a "round walk" from our house.

We walked up to the main road and down the hill.

Then along Paranui Valley Road

at the end just before we entered A.H. Reed Park was a new seat built around some Cabbage Trees.  We didn't stop though.

Into A.H. Reed Park 

then alongside the river

the green of the Chestnut tree looks more like spring than autumn.

We walked past the Redwood Trees

then over the swing bridge

still alongside the river

to the Whanagrei Falls

we walked up to the top of the Falls and the Park at the top.

then along the road and back home.  At the bottom of this valley is the river we walked alongside.

It was a very pleasant hour and a half walk.

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

For about 6 or 7 years Doug has had a mesh cage for Monarch caterpillars.  The problem is that the Asian wasps attack the caterpillars and kill them so we put them into the cage with some Swan Plant, a type of milkweed.

Apart from saving the caterpillars from the wasps it also means that if the weather is bad the butterflies can be kept in the cage for a day or two and then released.  Doug didn't count the number of butterflies released this year but last year it was over 300

FRIDAY & SATURDAY (and Cars)

Friday was a little easier.  We had Doug's Grandson and his wife here for lunch and a catch up.  They are due to have our third great-grand daughter next month.

It was good to spend some time with them. 

On Saturday, as we were driving to the Growers' Market we noticed the Main Street was closed off and there were cars on display.  After we had done all our chores we returned to town.  It turned out that the four main streets were closed off.  It was a show of hot rods, saloon cars and motor bikes and there were people everywhere.  The weather was great and there were several bands playing.  

I had expected just a few cars but by the time we had walked around the whole area it was getting a bit late to go home and prepare lunch so we went to the Cafe de Paris again where I had my usual buckwheat galette and Doug had a delicious looking Burgundy Beef pie with chips and salad.

Just a few of the cars on display.

ANZAC DAY

Thursday was Anzac Day (Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".).

We  got up just after 5 a.m. and went in to town to the Dawn Service.  The local paper estimated that there were about 6,500 people there.  It was a very poignant service. Every year 30 names are read from the list of fallen on the cenotaph and it will take 21 years for all the names to be read out.  This is just the ones in the city itself as there are numerous war memorials around the area.

There was a strong police presence (as there was at all services with many cancelled as a result of the Terrorism in Christchurch) however, although we saw several police cars, we did not see any police.  

It was then home for breakfast and a finally a fairly quiet day.

THIS WEEK

After the busy weekend we were both fairly tired but Monday is the day for the Parkinson walk.  We pick up a gentleman who lives nearby and has lost his licence.  This time it was down to the waterfront at Onerahi.  We did the easier of the walks and, as it was Easter Monday and the cafes would be busy, we went to the home of one of the walkers for our morning cuppa (and hot cross buns).  Most enjoyable.

We dropped our friend back home and had some lunch then Doug went to his daughter's to do some work for her while I stayed here and caught up on some gardening.

I think we would both have enjoyed a siesta but there was not enough time.

My glasses fell at the weekend and got trodden on so on Tuesday we had to go to town to get them straightened as well as the Library and the Supermarket.  Just before we left home we had a phone call from Doug's grand daughter who was having a birthday the following day and as she was coming in to town she wanted to call at lunch time.

So, once we got home, I made a quick lunch of ham, pineapple, potato cake and salad with grapes to follow and we had an enjoyable time catching up with her news and the plans for her wedding in March.  She asked us to her birthday meal the following night but we declined as we had a busy day coming up.

After she left Doug mowed the lawn while I did the dishes and emptied the dog food/beer fridge in the laundry as we had bought a new one which was being delivered the following day.  I had nearly finished this when the phone rang and it was Gary, the son of Doug's friend, Stan, from primary days.  They were in town and wanted to call in.

Gary has been visiting from England - his father had a heart attack not long after he arrived so he has spent most of his holiday caring for him.  Gary is finally flying home tomorrow and Stan's other two children plus a partner will be driving Stan and his vehicles in convoy down to the South Island as he cannot stay in his current isolated house.  They had eaten so I made a cuppa and they stayed for an hour or so.

On Wednesday, my friend Gill and her husband were coming up from Auckland as it was their 20th wedding anniversary and a mutual friend had arranged for us all to have lunch at the Town Basin.  Our new fridge was delivered before Gill and Ken arrived.   We then met up with another four for lunch.  It was a really busy but most enjoyable day.

THE COAST

While on the Art trail at the weekend we enjoyed frequent views of the sea and harbour.  On both days we found a nice spot at a beach to eat the frittata I had made.  Unfortunately, the tide was out but it was still enjoyable. 

We went as far as Ocean Beach and watched some surfers.

As we walked between two venues this fretwork fence caught my eye.

We managed the majority of venues on the Saturday but went to the remaining ones on Sunday afternoon after going to the gym.